North Bengal’s longest wooden bridge in Dinajpur

The upazila administration at Nawabganj upazila in Dinajpur has built a kilometre long wooden bridge made from timber of the sal tree, in a bid to promote tourism in the area.

The bridge is named after Sheikh Fazilatunnesa.

It is said to be the longest wooden bridge in North Bengal, according to the upazila office.

While inaugurating the bridge on 1 June, the member of parliament (MP) for Dinajpur-6 Shibli Sadik and the deputy commissioner (DC) Md Mahmudul Alam planted nearly 2,000 plants around the beel.

According to Nawabganj and Birampur upazila fishery offices, Ashurar Beel covers a total area of 360 hectares- 251 hectares in Nawabganj and 109 hectares in Birampur.

Surrounded by the country’s second largest sal forest, the beel or marshy expanse, is full of various species of fishes including eight near-extinct species such as freshwater garfish and dwarf gourami.

The story Sitakot Bihar, based on what the legend of Sitar Bonobas, was written at Ashurar Beel.

The bridge is 900 metre long and it cost taka 1.2 million. It is Z-shaped and was built in two months.

The bridge will be helpful to the people on the settlements on both sides of the beel.

“The beel was replete in natural beauty once. Migratory birds used to fly here. The upazila administration is working on restoring the beauty. They already built toilets and electric connection has been installed,” Shibli Sadik MP told Prothom Alo.

Deputy commissioner,Mahmudul Alam, termed this type of eco-friendly infrastructure development as a part of sustainable development.

“This is for the future generations,” he added.

Nawabganj Upazila Nirbahi officer (UNO) Mashiur Rahman told Prothom Alo that the illegal establishments on the beel were removed and the deputy commissioner’s office is extending all support.

Dinajpur divisional forest officer Abdur Rahman said, nature lovers will come here to enjoy the natural beauty and birds. The infrastucture will be made in harmony with the surroundings.